Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3398, William Evans, R.I. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I. Sea Service
Evans, William or Evans,
R. 3398
CONTENTS
[Lined area for contents entry]
[Lined area for contents entry]

10018 In the matter of the application of William Bovens or Evans for a pension —
Proceedings
No 22
To the care of Miss H. Yates
Hope Schenectady N.Y.
27/63

State of New-York County of Schenectady } ss.
On this twelfth — day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirtytwo personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of common Pleas in and for said County now sitting Wil- liam Evens a resident of the town — of Princetown in said County and State, aged Seventy-six years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following dec- laration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
He was born in the Limerick in the King- dom of Ireland in the county of in the State] — on the thirteenth — day of May — 1756. He has no record of his age except that a memorandum left him by his parents yet believes there is a register thereof in the Parish when he was born. When he was called into the service of the United States in the army of the revolution, he was living in the town of Warren Bristol County State of Rhode Island and since the revolutionary war he has lived in Garrison's Purchase N. Y. Springfield Mass: and at Helderberg in Albany County. About 20 years ago he moved to, & he now lives in the town — of Princetown aforesaid
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
In the beginning of the year 1776, he enlisted for the term of eighteen months at Warren aforesaid in the marine service of the United States in the galley named the "Spitfire" The names of the officers whom he recollects, were Joseph Crandell Captain, Attwood Sheffield Lieutenant - William Warren Master, Benjamin Cranston his mate - Eben Boser gunner, Joseph

Ormsby his mate - Sampson Sims Steward William Crandall midshipman - John Mc Leach Boatswain, William Pitcher his mate This gally was associated with another com- manded by Captain Pierce & plied from Prov- idence to Bristol - to Mason's narrows - the most part of the time at Howland's ferry. While in this engagement of eighteen months which he served out in full, he was in several skir- mishes with the enemy, and was employed in guarding the coast & preventing Tories from carrying provisions &c from Swansea to Rhode- Island. When he had served about thirteen months, his Captain, Lieutenant, midshipman, himself and 3 others of the crew were taken pris- oners, the remainder being at the time on shore. They were taken to Rhode Island and put on board of a Prison ship, and after remaining there 8 or 10 days were placed on board of a prison ship in the New York harbour - Sir William Henry Clinton being Commander of the British forces in that port. The remainder of his term of eight- een months he was a prisoner as aforesaid.
In the month of April 1779, he enlisted at Warren aforesaid for the term of one year, but served only Eleven months, when he was dischar- ged to enlist for three years as herein after stated. This enlistment of Eleven months was in Captain Garzee's Company of Artillery. The names of his other officers not recollected, save his recrui- ting officer Com: Champlin. He served these 11 months at Bristol and Brenton points - but en- countered no enemy.
At the expiration of said Eleven months he enlisted in a company of Infantry in the standing army for the term of

three years . The names of his Company & field officers whom he recollects were Cogswell Oney or Oney or Oney Captain - Below Jenkins Lieutenant - Colonel or Angel - Lieut. Colonel Oney - Major Thayer - Adjutant Rogers. He also remembers the name of Captain John Oney in the same Regiment - also Captain Hughs and Captain Stoddard - Surgeons, Doctors Finney & Cornelius. His orderly sergeant - Steward - also Sergeant Wilbur.
He marched to Morristown in New Jersey the head quarters of the Continental Army, and remained there he believes about one year - he was in the battle of Springfield during said year. From thence he marched towards Westpoint but crossed over to Kingsferry thence to Bergen in New Jersey while part of his Regiment (2 Companies of Infantry) remained at Paramus near Bergen, to prevent refugees from going to the enemy. He was engaged in several skirmishes with refugees.
He does not remember to have been in any other engagements than those above set forth except a Battle between Shot hills & Dobbs ferry.
Some time in the year 1878 the Plaintiff made application for a pension under the act of 1818, and thereupon received notice from the war department, that if he produced testimony of his services, his claim would be admitted. This however he was not then, and is not now able to do.

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz: General Washington &
the other officers whose names are never before mentioned
He never received any written discharge from the service, except one signed by Colonel Angel aforesaid which has long since been lost
He has no — documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service —
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit Isaac Wemple and Elias Frazar
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Subscribed and sworn to the ) day and year first aforesaid )
John S. Mooman Clerk.
this Wm H Covane in att

Wm Evans

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz: all those whose names are herein before mentioned, also General George Washington
He never received any written discharge from the service, except one signed by Colonel Angel aforesaid , which has long since been lost
He has no _____ documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Subscribed and sworn to the } day and year first aforesaid }
Clerk.
We Isaac Wemple - a clergyman residing in the town of Princeton in the county of Schenectady aforesaid, and Elias Truax residing in the town of Schenectady  Princeton in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Evans - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Isaac Wemple
Subscribed and sworn the } day and year aforesaid }
John S. Vrooman
Clerk.
William Evans
Elias Truax on oath
AND THE SAID COURT do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Isaac Wemple who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Princeton in said County, and that Elias Truax who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, that they are both and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John S. Vrooman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Schenectady do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Evans for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
John S. Vrooman Clerk.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878.
Amr
5098
P. O. William Owens
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

N. York
23 1/2
M c Evans
Lcto G. F. Galt
April 24 th 1851
Dr. May 11 th 1851
" Nov 14 th 1851
Col. J. May Walsh Co.,
Oct 17 th '48!
Sept 23. 1852
act of June 18

N. York Wm. Evans Letter to Hon. M. J. Bovee } 12. May 1838 }
to G. F. Yates 25. June 1839 Hon. J. S. Lester APL 2/8/40
Act. June 1832

Ap. 3. 1848
James Walsh
for William Evans
J. L. Edwards Esq n Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington D.C.

Schenectady 30 th March 1848,
J. L. Edwards Esq.?
Sir, I wish you to inform me if William Evans of Princetown Schenectady County N. Y. State, has drawn a pension through your Office, within 10. or 15 years past, and the amount drawn, as I presume you have it recorded on your Books, if drawn, Giles B. Yates Esq. was the Man that applied for the same, but whether he received his pension or not I am not able to tell, but presume you can tell, and by informing me you will confer a great favour on your Humble Servant,
James Walsh,
Schenectady N. Y. State,

James L. Heath Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

Schenectady 18 th Nov r 1852 — James E. Heath Esq r
Sir I would thank you, to inform me if Giles F. Yates Pension Agent has received the late W m Evans Pension of Princetown Schenectady County N. Y. as one of his friends wished me to write to the Department, respecting the same and you will much oblige your humble serv t James Walsh —
N. B. Please direct your letter to James Walsh Commissioner of Deeds — City of Schenectady State New York —

Evans
Ans at aft 30.
Dear J. L. Edwards Russian Coast Washington D.C.
1893

Amsterdam April 27. 1838
Dear Sir
In your letter to me of the 23 rd ultimo in the case of William Evans you refer me to the 14 th of February 1835 a letter to Hon. S. L. D. L. D. I presume this is not the same William Evans. that I forwarded papers for to you last fall. I received the papers from Mr. Gates of Schenectady & if my recollections are correct his claim was for services mostly done on the Ocean - but if it should turn out to be the same one you name in your letter - as above, I do not see how he is debarred - you say he rejoined the army if so & got his substitute for his actual services he would be entitled - I wish you to refer me to the law that bars his actual services I should like to see it - the Act of 7 June 1832 does say that if any person serves in all 6 mos. he should be entitled -
I am yours &c
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Matthias J. D. D.

Evans
Ans? March 30 th 89
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.
Wm Evans
W.D.

Evans
Ans? March 30 th 84
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.
Wm Evans
W.D.

To J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
In the matter of (the application of William Evans , or Evans of Princetown N.Y. for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832.
Sir.
I was called upon a few days ago, by the Rev d Mr Scott, and several gentlemen from the town of Princetown neighbors of Mr William Evans of that town, & they joined their request with that of Mr Evans, desiring me to solicit from you a reexamination of his claim for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832. I made out his original papers in the fall of 1832, or in the year 1833, in which he gave, if I remember right, a circumstantial account of his services, but was among those unfortunates who could not procure any witnesses, (principally for the reason that there were none living in this state) His name I believe, could not then be found on the rolls in your Department. At my request, Mr J. Bove by late M. C. obtained a review of the claim, but with no better success than

I had met with. He is a pious, worthy man- & a town charge. Being satisfied that his state- ments are entitled to the fullest credit, I am induced to urge another review of his case. You have doubtless since the last examination received new rolls in your office, & his name may be found thereon. If not I may find it in the State where he served.
I am very truly
your obedt servt J. H. Wells
Albany Mar. 15 th 1839

In the matter of William Evans , under the act of 7 th June 1832
Albany April 2 nd 1839
J. B. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir.
I am favored with your letter of the 30 th ult o relative to the claim of William Evans for a pension un- der the Act of 7 th June 1832, in which you state that the papers in his case, were returned to me on the 16 th day of May 1833. I procured a new declaration to be made in open Court on the 25 th day of April 1837, as I find by a special memorandum of my own, and that this new Declaration with accompanying af- fidavits of Elias Frazar, John Nott, Isaac Wemple & Myndert Banghous, was again forwarded to your office. I may be mistaken in supposing I sent it the second time, or the letter enclosing it may have miscarried. In either event, a new declaration will of course be required. But being under the impression that you may not have caused search to be made for the papers in the

year 1837, not thinking I would suffer a delay of four years in returning the papers, if I am right in this impression, I solicit the favor to have a new search made for that year, to the end that if they are not found, I may send in a new declaration.
I am very respectfully your ov t serv t
Giles F. HAYS

In the matter of W m Evans for a pension under act of 7 th June 1832
Letter to Commissioners
Agent G. F. Yates Schenectady N.Y.

Schenectady June 17 th 1839.
Sir
In answer to my letter of the 2 nd of April last, respecting the claim of William Evans for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, you state that the original papers in this case were not returned to your office, and that no supplemental papers have been received there. I took it for granted therefore that these papers had been lost by the mails, and was waiting for the next sitting of the Court in this county to make out a new set of papers. Within a few days however, I have seen Mr. J. Bove Esq of Amsterdam, who had this claim sometime in hand, and he informs me, that according to your letter to him on the subject, this claim was examined in your office, and reports made thereon since the time the papers were said to have been returned to. I have therefore reason to believe, that the papers in support of this claim, are filed away among the papers of another William Evans whose pension has been allowed, as I find by reference to the

books of the pension Agent in Albany.
I am very respectfully Yours at Servt G. H. HART
To J. L. Edward Esq Connington Dr

Wm Evans

Albany, April 30 th 1841.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir.
In your reply of the 24 th inst. to my letter of the 10 th February last, covering the declaration of W m Evans , you state, that no name with initials corresponding to those of W m Evans can be found on Capt. Gaze's Rolls, but you do not say whether they can or cannot be found on any rolls of Capt. Olney or Hughes . R. S. line . And am I to infer that the name of Evans is not borne on them?
The applicant stated that Thomas Champlin or Samplin was his recruiting sergeant. You say that this name is borne on Gaze's Rolls but as a private only. The applicant did not say that Champlin was the sergeant of Gaze's Company, only that he was the officer under whom he enlisted. You admit in the case of the widow of W m Brown , that soldiers may be " employed " to recruit without being "sergeants." There is nothing worthy of suspicion therefore in the statement of Evans on that score. Besides, you do not say what years of the war these rolls cover. Champlin may have been a private during other years than those to which the applicant alludes.
You are doubtless justified, from the fact

of having been deceived by a few unprincipled per- sonal agents, in making the insinuation that the appli- cant may have "obtained a knowledge of the names of officers &c from some employment in the Regiment of Aspel & as waiter but it sounds strange to those who know Mr Evans's practical piety & Christian honesty. Even if he had been a waiter or hostler, it would not necessarily militate against his statement, because servants were taken from the ranks - & did not thereby forfeit their claims to pensions.
An experience of several years, has satisfied me, that little reliance is to be placed upon the examination of clerks in public offices. I feel a confident assurance that the name of the applicant can be found on the R. I. Rolls, and will if necessary visit Rhode Island for the express purpose of ascertaining the fact. I have therefore to request that you will give me the address & place of residence of the Adjutant who has the custody of the R. I. Regimental Ledgers to which you refer, and of any other public officer in that State who has the possession of Revolutionary Records of that State. Your compliance will subserve the cause of justice & charity, & greatly oblige
(Yours at least)
G. H. Yates
~~~~~
P.S. The applicant states that he believes he was under Col. Olney at the close of the war.

Mr. J. L. Edwards June 20.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.

75 ct
1841 Apl 19 th
Lonsdale R.I.
J. L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City. —
In at R.I.

Lonsdale April 17 th 1841
J. A. Edwards, Esquire, Sir,
Your letter under date of the 2 nd instant did not come to hand until last evening, in answer to which I now inform you that neither the Regimental Book, nor other Document in my possession, furnishes any evidence of the service of William Evans or William Evans in the Rhode Island Regiment, on or after the first day of January 1781 to the end of the War—
I am, Sir,
very respectfully your obedient servant
M c L. Dexter
N.B. Please to address me at "Lonsdale, R.I." instead of "Providence, R.I."

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

In the matter of William Evans or Emmons for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832.
To J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Sir.
I send you again the papers in the above case (which have been once before you) with additional deposi- tions recently taken or about a year since.
It is scarcely to be credited, that an old soldier who can neither read nor write, & therefore could not have gleaned facts from written or printed documents, facts too which are not to be found recorded in any papers or books to which he could by possibility have had access, should present such a circumstantial & detailed account of services as Mr Evans has done in his declaration if they were not true. His original Decla- ration, it will be seen, was made in October 1832 immediately after the passage of the law under which he applies, and therefore there was no chance for collusion. I have made diligent search whenever I could find opportunity for the last four or five years, but have never been able to find any rolls of the Compa- nies in which Evans alleges that he served.

and therefore have never been able to test the correctness of Mr Evans's statements in that way. I beg leave to call your particular attention to the names of the privates which he gives in his declaration, to whom he alluded, served with him, and would confidently submit, whether proof of his identity will not be established, if the names he gives actually occur on the rolls in question. It is due to the applicant that such examination should be made, and it should not militate against his claim, if his name is not found spelt, as I have written it. Mr Evens has so much of the Irish brogue that I can with difficulty catch the true pronunciation of his name. It sounds as much like Emmons , as Evans , and not being able to write or spell his name himself it is not to be wondered at that his name should be strangely metamorphosed by a scribe (perhaps an illiterate one) who wrote down his name on a roll in the first instance. I can give several instances where names were found spelt on some of the revolutionary Muster Rolls vastly different from the mode of spelling now adopted. The Levy & Militia Books once in your office, furnish many illustrations of this fact, as Watson for Watson , Cawle for Coel - Simmonds for Seaman &c &c &c. If this fact be duly considered & applied in the present case, I feel confident that the claim of Mr Evans can be established to your satisfaction.

by documentary evidence.
Yours respectfully
G. H. WATERS.
Schenectady Feby 10 th 1841.
P.S. Acknowledged the receipt of your last letter in this case dated April 10: 1839 — G. H. W.

Oct 3 rd
N.Y. Oct 1832
Evening X Wm
Dear J. L. Edwards
Passion Court Washington D.C.

Amsterdam Sept 28. 1837
Dear Sir
Enclosed I forward the papers of William Evans I wish if possible to have an examination soon as the old man is miserably poor
I am yours with esteem
Matthias J. Bleecker
Hon J. L. Edwards

Wm Evans
34,499
NY
Act 7 June 32 not on Gargia's roll not on Sopiano's reg for '79
3598

State of New York County of Schenectady ss.
On this twenty-fifth - day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting William Evans, or Evbans, a resident of the town of Princetown in said County aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
He was born in the County of Limerick, Ireland, in the Kingdom of Great Britain, on the thirteenth day of May 1757, or 1758, he has no record of his age.
Subsequent to his services during the war of the revolution, as herein after stated, he resided for two years in "Harrison's purchase" - He then moved to Guilderland in the now County of Albany in said State of New York, where he lived for the term of twenty-seven years - and then moved to said town of Princetown in said County of Schenectady, where he now resides, as above said.
In the Spring of the year 1777, he thinks on the first day of April in that year, he this declarant enlisted in the service of the United States for the term of Eighteen months , under the following named officers, Joseph Crandall Captain, Edwin Sheffield Lieutenant, William Warren Master & Benjamin Cranston his mate - William Gandal

Midshipman - Abraham Boswell Gunner, & Joseph Ormsby his mate. Sampson Simis Stew- art. These were the officers of a Vessel called "the Spitfire", which with others, was employ- ed in guarding the shores of Rhode Island for the purpose of preventing the Tories or disaffected Americans from carrying pro- visions to the enemy at Newport R. I. of which port the enemy had then posses- sion. After he this Declarant had served for the period of thirteen months on board of said Vessel, he was taken pris- oner by the enemy at Fall River R. I. to- gether with the other men on board of said Vessel. The only persons, or rather those whom he now recollects of them, were Rufus Whittaker John Hardin and John Hardin Junr., who had a few days before been permitted to go home to their families at Warren aforesaid. He this Declarant remained a prisoner as aforesaid for the term of five months, when he was exchanged. He was thus imprisoned on board of a British Vessel called "the Ardent", which lay during said five months in the port of New York, which was then in possession of the British. The prisoners on board of the "Ardent" were very much straitened for provisions, that which was given them by the British, being hardly sufficient to sustain life. General Wash- ington became acquainted with their sit- uation, and sent them two pounds of bread and two pounds of beef or pork per week. Edmund Burt, he this Declarant believes of the rank of Lieutenant, Captain Shockley & Lieutenant Gideon Reed, are the names of these of the American officers on board of the "Ardent", whom this Deponent recollects besides those

belonging to "the Spitfire". The number of prisoners in all, was about three Hundred, of whom about one half were Frenchmen.
In the following month of April, he this Declarant enlisted at said town of Warren, in a Company of Artillery commanded by Captain Gaze. The name of his recruiting officer was Thomas Samplin. The names of his other Commissioned & non-Commissioned officers, he this Declarant cannot possibly recollect, but thinks his Sergeant's name was Perry. He enlisted in this Company of Artillery for the term of One year, but served only Eleven months, when he enlisted in the Continental army as is herein after set forth. This Company of Artillery was attached to the troops of said State of Rhode Island, which State troops as this Declarant understood the fact to be, those belonging to, were permitted to leave provided they enlisted in the Continental army. He this Declarant served in said Company of Artillery at Warren aforesaid, for about five or six weeks, when he marched to Bristol Neck, where he remained for a short time. Then marched to Bristol Ferry, where he remained with his Company, until the fall of that year; when he marched Brenton's point, where he remained for the remainder of said Eleven months.
Immediately after serving the aforesaid term of Eleven months, he thinks on the first day of March 1780, he enlisted for the term of Three years at Newport R. I. in the Regiment of Colonel Angel. The name of his Lieutenant was he believes John Rives, of his Captain Cogswell. One or the other

The name of his orderly sergeant was Stewart - another sergeant's name was Melbur - also Melbur Drum Major - Rogers Adjutant - Starks Brigadier General - Mayer Major. In this declarant, or rather the company to which he belonged, joined his Regiment at Morristown N. J. about two miles or more out of its suburbs. Remained at Morristown on duty about four months. The other Regiments stationed there and belonging to his Brigade, were those of Colonel Jackson of the Massachusetts line, Col. Webb of Connecticut (he believes). After serving as aforesaid at Morristown his Brigade marched to Morris's flats, between Pompton & Morristown N. J. where they remained on duty about a month - thence they were ordered to Westpoint. They crossed at Kings Ferry & remained there a few days. While there General Sherman inspected them then marched back to Morristown - where they remained only a few days, when they marched to Ramapo woods N. J. where they staid four or five days. They were then ordered to Westpoint, but marched to Short Hills N. J. at the head of Tappan Bay. From Short Hills they marched back to Westpoint where they remained until the following winter - thence they marched to Hoight's Hills where they built huts to secure them from the inclemencies of the weather & remained till the ensuing spring. Then marched to Croton River N. J. staid there eighteen months or more when they returned to Westpoint, & there remained until the end of his said term. He received a written discharge from the service signed by Colonel Angel aforesaid, but said discharge was worn out in his pocket.

and is now lost.
After this Declarant had served about two years in said Company of Captain Olney he was transferred to the Company of Captain Hewes or Knapp in the same Brigade. He was among those engaged in the Battle of Springfield, whence they followed the enemy to Morristown. He also engaged in a Skirmish at East Chester N.Y. when he was stationed at Croton river aforesaid - also in a skirmish when stationed at High-Kills aforesaid -

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz : the same before stated —
He never received any written discharge from the service except the one before stated —
He has no — documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit : Reverend John Nott of the town of Princeton, Isaac Temple also of said town and Myndert Bangburn of said town —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Subscribed and sworn to the } day and year first aforesaid
J. C. Dumahaw Clerk. 3
his William X Evans mark
Benjamin Cranston his mate — William Gandal

Schenectady County ss.
I Elias Francis of the town of Guilderland in the county of Albany aged sixty years and upwards, being duly sworn & examined, doth depose and say that I have been for the term of about forty years last past, well acquainted with the beforenamed applicant William Evans referred to in the foregoing declaration & by him subscribed, and that said William Evans always sustained an excellent character for truth and veracity, and I believe him to be eighty years of age. that I have heard said Wil- iam Evans at least thirty years ago , recount his revolutionary services, and am satisfied they were substantially the same as set forth in said declaration.
Subscribed & sworn in open Court this 25 th April 1837, before
J. R. Vanhook Clerk
Elias his X Francis mark

WE, John Vott a Clergyman residing in the town of Princetown in the county of Schenectady aforesaid, and Isaac Wemple & Maynard residing in the said town of Princetown do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Evans who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty - eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid
J. C. Burnham Clerk.
John Vott. Isaac Wemple his mark Maynard
AND THE SAID COURT do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Vott who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in said town of Princetown, and that Isaac Wemple & Maynard Burnham who have also signed the same, are residents of said town of Princetown, and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit - and they also certify that the before named Deponent Elias Frazar is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit - and further that said William Evans cannot write his name owing to the want of education.
I Jonathan C. Burnham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Schenectady do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Evans for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Twenty fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Seven
J. C. Burnham Clerk.
Benjamin Cranston his mark - William Frazar

William Emons. or Evans under the act of 9th June 1832.
Supplemental papers Nov. 15: 1839
Agent Giles F. Yates Schenectady N.Y.

State of New York County of Schenectady ss.
On this 18 th day of November 1839, personally appeared before me the undersigned William Evans or Emons , a resident of the town of Princetown in said County, aged eighty one years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth declare & say. That he was born in the County of Limerick Ireland in the Kingdom of Great Britain, on or about the 13 th day of May 1758. He has no record of his age.
He came to this country in the year 1775 & landed at Boston Mass. He spent about a year in Warren R.I. learning a trade. In the Spring of the year 1777, if he remembers right he joined the marine service of the United States & enlisted for eighteen months on board of the "Spitfire" under the following named Officers Joseph Crandall Captain, Edwin Sheffield Lieut. William Warner Master, Benjamin Cranston mate - William Crandall midshipman - Fran- ham Boush gunner & Joseph Omsby his mate. After having served about thirteen months on board of said vessel, (which was employed in guarding the Rhode Island shores & preventing the Tories from carrying provisions to the British who were then at Newport R.I. he was taken & prisoner by the British, at Fall River R.I. 18 mo.

confin'd on board of a prison ship called the Ardent for five months - There being then a general season of exchange, he was exchanged & carried to Elizabethtown, New Jersey. After remaining there a few days he proceeded to Providence where he was taken sick & continued a number of weeks, thence he went to Hartford & from thence to Warren R. I.
In the spring following, viz - in the spring of the year 1779, as he thinks, he enlisted at said town of Warren into a Compa- ny of Artillery - the names of the officers of which, as near as he can remember, were as follows - A French Officer whose name sounded like Gaze or Gagle, was the in- spector of the artillery companies - They called him Captain , and he might have been such yet he was an Inspector also, or performed the duties of one. The officer who enlisted him was Thomas Champlin Corporal (or Samplin) Perry Sergeant.
He enlisted for the term of one year in said Company of Artillery - After serving in said Company of Artillery for the term of Eleven months, he enlisted into the continental army as herein after set forth. The following are the names of persons he now recollects who served in said Company of Artillery with this Declarant viz - Seal - Abner Crandall, Martin Rogers - Abe Chase
The said Martin Rogers left said Artillery Company the same time this Declarant did & afterwards became a Corporal in the Regiment of Col. Angel - This Declarant also enlisted into said Regiment of

Col: Angel, but not into the same Company that said Rogers did - to wit This Declarant in the month of March 1780, enlisted for the term of three years at Newport R.I. into the company in said Regiment, commanded by Capt. Coffswell Olney - His Lieutenant's name was  Jenkins - of his orderly sergeant Stewart - The name of another sergeant was Wilbur - Asa Wilbur Drum Major - Rogers Adjutant - Starks Brigadier Gen- eral - Wayne Major - He joined said Reg- iment near Morristown New Jersey The other Regiments stationed or on duty there at that time were those of Col. Jack- son of the Massachusetts line, Col. Webb of Connecticut. The Brigade to which Declarant was attached, after serving a while at Morristown aforesaid marched to Morris's flats between Pumpton & Morris- town - after remaining there about a month they were ordered to Westpoint. They crossed, at King's ferry, and remained there a few days - Then marched back to Morristown remained there a few days then marched to Ramapo woods N.J. then back to Westpoint but marched to Short Hills N.J. at the head of Tappan Bay From Short Hills they marched back to Westpoint where they remained till the following win- ter - thence they marched to Hoyt's Hills where they built huts to secure them from the inclemency of the weather. There they re- mained till the ensuing Spring & then marched to Croton river N.Y. staid there a year or more, & then returned to

West point where he remained till the expiration of his term of service
After this Declarant had served about two years in said Company of Captain Olney, he became disabled for a short time in consequence of cutting his foot with a tomahawk while engaged in chopping tent pins. The company of said Olney being then on the march, he was transferred to the Company of Captain Hughs which with 8 other companies belonging to said Regiment remained in garrison at Short Hills aforesaid. and the said Declarant continued to serve in said Company of Capt. Hughs, until the expiration of said term of three years being the term of his enlistment.
He was engaged in the battle of Springfield in in a skirmish at East Chester N. Y. and also in a skirmish at Short Hills aforesaid.
And this Declarant further saith, that he never learned to write his name, and cannot say how his name is or should be spelt. That he went by the name of Edmons as well as Evons - and was called by some Evans. This Declarant being an Irishman, he could not speak so distinctly in the English language as to be always understood, and never knew how his name was written.
And this Declarant further saith,

That the he remembers the names of the following persons who served in said Company of Hughs or Olney in the Regi- ment of Col. Angel aforesaid - viz - John Gold, James Fowler, — John Fowler, James Smith, Benj. Smith, Jimmy Ogden, — Mouncks (who officiated as a barber to the said Regiment) — Charles Freeman Drum- mer — James Blair — James King — John Strange — William Potter — Charles Low — Bennet — Benning — Lewis Bizer Corporal.
And this Declarant further saith that he believes an examination of the papers of the following named individuals now believed to be on the pension roll, will be of service in the investigation of his claim — Abner Crandall who belonged to the same company with this Deponent viz Gage's as he thinks — Isaac Ormsby and perhaps some of those above named
Subscribed and sworn } William his Evans this fifteenth day of Nov } mark 1839, before me —
S. W. Jones, First Judge of Schenectady County.
State of New York City County of Schenectady } ss.
I am a Member of the town of Pinecroft in said County being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he has been intimately acquainted with William Evans the above

declaimant for more than twenty years before any pension provisions had been made for Revolutionary Soldiers. That he had repeatedly himself said Evans describes his revolutionary services, and that the fore- going declaration which this deponent has attitudinarily perused is in every partic- ular a faithful account of his military services as described by him the said Evans in his various accounts before mentioned. I have example
I Samuel W Jones 1st Judge Vc do hereby Certify that on the 15 th November 1839 personally appeared before me the undersigned Sam Womple & made oath in due form that the facts set forth in the above declaration by him subscribed is true & I certify that he is a credible Witness. ————— S. W. Jones 1 st Judge of Schenectady County

State of New York County of Schenectady } p.
Theodorus R. Van Ingen Dep Clerk of said County. do hereby certify that Samuel W Jones before whom the foregoing declaration of William Coons & the accompanying deposition of Isaac Wemple purport to have been taken, was at the time thereof Fifth Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly Commissioned Sworn & I certify that his signature to said declara- tion & deposition are genuine. Witness my hand & official Seal this Ninth day of February, One Thousand Eight hundred Forty one
T R Van Ingen Dep Clerk